auble



1. H. LAUBLE.

ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. y12, 1913.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916; v

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`J. H. AUBLE.v

` ENGlNE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. l2, 1913l Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1. H. AUBLE.

ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. I2. I9I3.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. sectional view of the engine.

UNITE sTATEs vrATNT orc JAMES H. AUBLE, or CINCINNATI, oH'Io, AssIcNon or VoNn-rIAIur To HARRY A.

. 1 BARRETT, or CINCINNATI, oHIo.

ENGINE.

, Specification of Letters Patent. 'Patted Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed November 12, 1913. SerialiNo. 800,542.

To all whom 1f/may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. AUBLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and'use the same.

My Vinvention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference `being had to theA accompanying drawings whichillustrate the preferred V,form in which If have contemplated embodying my invention to#- gether with a slight modification thereof, which forms have been selected by me for the purpose of illustrating 'the invention, and said invention is fully disclosed in the fol-l lowing description and claims. l e

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation of a steam engine, being the preferred embodiment'of my invention selected by mevfor the purpose of illustrating the same. `Fig. 2 is a vertical Fig.A 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the engine showing the piston at the innermost position of its stroke. Fig.` lis a similar view showing the piston at the outer end of its stroke. Fig. `5 is a horizontal sectional vieuT through the upper end of the cylinder, on line'55 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a` vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3, showing a slight modication of the machine containinga different form of heating mechanism.V i V i Referringv to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, which show the preferred embodiment of my in-.l

vention,'1 represents the base or bed plateY ofthe engine structure, which is provided with a series of vertically disposed tie rods 2 having their lower ends rigidly' secured to said base by means `of suitable nuts 3 (see particularly Fig. 2)y and the engine base is preferably provided" fwith perforated lugs,

as indicated at 4, by means of which it may be bolted 'to a suitable foundation. The base l is also provided `with suitable bearings 5 for` the front` shaftrG which is `mounted therein and provided with the crank 7, to wliichfthe lower end, `of the connecting rod 8, hereinafter referred to, is connected.

10 represents the guiding cylinderhaving its interior bored` to receive a reciprocating plunger 11 which moves freely therein. The cylinder is provided with laterally extendmg flanges 12 at the top and bottom thereof provided with aperturesto fit reduced upper portlons of the tie rods 2, so that the cylinder is supported byshoulders 13-13 of said Vtie rods at the proper distance from the base plate 1. Upon'the upper end of the cylinder is fitted `the cylinder head 14 which is preferably fitted thereto with a ground joint and is providedwith a plurality of apertures V16 arranged at equal distances from each other'around the central aperture, and above the cylinder head 14 is placed a cap plate 17 provided with a central aperture 18 adapted to register with the central aperture 15 in the cylinder headand having on its lower face aplurality of circular recesses 19, adapted toregister with, but being of greater diameter than the apertures 16 in the cylinder head, said recesses communicating with apertures 20 of smaller diameter, extending, through the cap plate 17. The cylinder head and cap plate are provided with apertures to engage tie rods 2, said rods being provided above the cap plate with securing nuts 9 so that when said nuts are screwed up, the various parts heretofore described, will beheld rigidly together and as will hereinafter more fully. appear, will take the entire longitudinal thrust of the operating apparatus.

The cylinder head andcap plate are provided with a plurality. of "stationary pistons or plugs which work in corresponding working cylinders provided in the plunger 11, as the latterreciprocates. Each of vthese plugs, inthe preferred form of my invention, comprises a metallic shell or sleeveQl preferably formed of cast iron, having ,its exterior ground to fit the corresponding cylindrical recess inthe plunger 11,y andrprovided at its upper endwith an annular flange which occupies a portion ofv oneof .the recesses 19 while the shell extends through the correspending aperture 16 in the cylinder head. Each of these plugs-is provided preferably with'an electrical terminal `or contact which in this instance consists of a .copper rod 22 provided at iits lower endwith an enlarged head, the said rod extending through the shell 21 and through the cap plate aperture 19 in alinement with the corresponding cylinder head aperture engagedV by the shell, the'terminal being insulated from the shell and Valso from the cap plate. In the present instance, I have shown slate insulations, 23,

surrounding the terminal and being in the form of a cylinder and having a flange at when the cylinder head, the cap plate, the

several sleeves, 21, the terminals22, and the insulating material described, have been assembled, the nuts 9 screwed down, and the nuts on the end of the terminals screwed tight, the apparatus will be held in rigid relation and the terminals'will be perfectly in sulated from the surrounding" parts 4of the engine.V The movable plunger is bored out Y to provide a plurality ofion'gitudinal`- paslower ends of jtheworking cylinders 24, are

Y sages 24: therethrough, which passages have their upper portions ground to fit accurately the stationary plugs or pistons, and these passages I term the workingcylinders. The

closed andare provided with longitudinally movable electric terminals and for' convenience in assembling and maintainingthe parts in assembled relation, I prefer to employ the following construction. The lower ends of the passages 24 are counterbored'to receive shouldered' insulating' sleeves 25, through the central aperture of veach of which extends abrass guiding sleeve 26, having a reduced portion extending below the end of the plunger and screw threaded,

the said sleeve having an yannular flange adt jacent tothe junction of the 'main portion and reducedAV portion thereof, which lits in the counterbored portion of the insulating sleeve 25. A copper terminal 27"extends through the central opening of each of the brass sleeves 26 and has a vertically sliding movement therein, the said terminals'being each provided with a head at the upper end,

Y and the insulating sleeve 25 andthe brass sleeve 26 are held in place by means of aV metal plate 28, preferably of steel, provided with apertures to loosely engage the reduced portions of said brass sleeves'. This retaining plate 28 is held in position by means of the piston rod, as hereinafter described. Each of the guiding sleeves 26 is provided at its lower end with a ltubular 'terminal extension 29' screwed thereon and containing a coil spring 30, which bearsagainst a guiding Y collar'31 secured to the lower end ofthe terminal 27 and normally pressing it up'- Y ward. One of said extensions 29-, (see Figs. `injector sleeve. This sleeveV is interiorly 130 tact brush'32 which' is connected to, but is` insulated from the guiding cylinder 10, and

is connected with a suitable source of'electrlcity, as a dynamo. The four extensions,

.29, are connected together by means of suitable wires' as indicated at B3, so that current will be supplied tothe terminal 27 in each of the working ,cylinders 24. The terminals 22 are also connected in the circuit with 'the dynamo, or othersuitable'source of power, by wires as indicated at'34, so that when the terminals are brought together, as the plunger reaches theupper end of itsstroke, the current will flow through said terminals, and as the plunger descends, theterminals will separate and produce a1 spark'of'great intensity and heat. Y

35 represents the piston rod., the lower end of which is secured toa cross-head 36. in this instance varranged to slide 'upon guides secured to the tiefrods 2 between' the cylinder`10 andthe base p late'l, for which purpose the guides'l are providedY "with sleeves 37,secured tothe said tie rods 2. The cross-headBGis also provided with a so.V Y

pivot pinv 38,'t'o which the upper end of the f connectingrrod 8'is connected.' The piston rod 35 extends through a central aperture in the reciprocating plunger'll, the' upper portion 35X'of the saidI piston rod being'of reduced diameter andprojecting through the central apertures'in the vcylinder head; V14,7and cap plate 17, and 'extending above The piston rod is provided in-YA the same. termediate of its ends with threaded por:-` tions which are screwed into correspondingly threaded portions ofthe plunger and retaining plate 28, andV is provided withf'a set nut 39 for clamping theparts in Vas- Y sembled relation and' holding the retaining plate ein position on the bottom of the plun ger 11. The reduced portion of the pistoni' Y rod is provided for 'a portion ofl its length at Aits upper end with a central bore'of small diameter as indicated at 40 and with lateral passages 41 extending outwardly andfdow'nwardly from the lower end of said bore, and

so located that whenthel plunger isin yits lowestposition, as shown in1Fig.' 4, the lateral passages 41 will directly communi# cate with the vsmall working `cylinders221,

the upper ends of thepiston rod being pro-Y vided with a lateral inlet aperture42, the

size of which ispreferably lmade adjustable and the adjustment is, accomplished in this Y instance bymeans of a screw'i: inserted in.

the top' of the piston "rod andfhaving its lower end partially closing the" aperture ,42, so that by adjusting this screw, the size ofl the aperture will be changed. The upper end of the piston rod aboveI the cap plate 17 is inclosed by-a sleeve44which I Vterm'the threaded at its lower end` to engage a threaded extension on the cap plate surrounding the central aperture therein, a stuiing box being provided around the piston rod as indicated at 45, and the upper end of the injector sleeveV is closed as by plug 46. The injector sleeve is also provided with a lateral water inlet 47 communicating with an Iinterior annular passage 48 surrounding the piston rod, and adapted to register with the `inlet aperture 42 in the piston rod when the plunger is in its lowest position, as shown in Fig. 4. The inlet aperture 47 is connected by a pipe with a suitable supply of water, preferably under pressure, as from a main or from a Suitable tank (not shown). In order to prevent the unnecessary compression of air between the upper end of the plunger 11 and the cylinder head 14, I prefer to provide the cylinder head and cap 17 with breathing aperture 50 so that the portion of the guiding cylinder above the plunger is always in communication with the atmosphere. The plunger 11, containing the working cylinders 24, is provided preferably with an annular groove or recess 51 communicating by lateral passages 52 at the lower ends of said cylinders 24, as best shown'in Fig. 4, for the purpose of draining said cylinders in case they should become partially filled with water while the engine is not running, or for any other purpose. The'lower portion of the piston rod is also provided with a. central bore 53 having at its upper end lateral passages communicating with the groove 51 and said bore extends to any suitable point adjacent to the lower end of-the piston rod where it is preferably provided with a controlling cock 54, which is closed during the normal running ofthe engine, but which may be opened to drain the cylinders 24, when desired. The crankshaft 6 is preferably provided with the usual balance wheel 55, shown in Fig. 1, the momentum of which .raises the plunger after the active stroke thereof. Theguiding cylinder 10 is provided with an exhaust port 56 Vand with an exhaust pipe or aperture 57, the said exhaust port being in communication with the interior of the cylinder and with each of the working cylinders 24, when the plunger 11 is in its lowest position, as in Fig. 4 l l The cycle of operation of the engine is as vfollows:-The terminals being connected in the circuit with a suitable dynamo or other source of electrical current of the desired voltage and amperage to produce the necessary heat on the separation of the terminals, and assuming the plunger 11 to be in its lowest position, as shown in Fig. 4, the plunger has entirely withdrawn the working cylinders 24 from the stationary pistons or plugs'connected with the head of the guiding cylinder 10, and the inlet aperture 42 in the piston rod is momentarily brought into registration with the annular groove 48 communicating with the water inlet aperture 46 and a small quantity of water enters the bore 40 of the piston rod. The plunger is raised by the momentum of the balance wheel and the air in the injector sleeve above the piston rod being slightly compressed, will force the admitted water through the bore 40 and discharge it through the laterally extending passages 41, distributing small quantities thereof to each of the four working cylinders 24 before the passages 41 are closed by the further upward movement of the plunger, which also closes the exhaust port 56. The minute quantities admitted to the working cylinders 24 will be retained in the working cylinders and as the plunger l1 ascends, the terminals 27 are brought into contact with the terminals 22, thus closing the electric circuit. l/Vhen the plunger reaches its highest position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a very small clearance remains between the bottom of the working cylinders 24 and the lower ends of the stationary pistons or plugs which clearances contain the water, and also in the form herein shown and described, the air Vcontained in the working cylinders, in a highly compressed condition. As soon as the crank passes the center and the plunger 11 begins to move downwardly, the lower terminals 27, which have only a minute yielding movement under the action of their springs to insure perfect contact at all times, are withdrawn from the stationary terminals 22, thereby simultaneously breaking the circuit in all four of the cylinders and producing a spark of intense heat. Thus the4 heat being created within the working cylinders and acting upon the minute quantities of water in intimate relation therewith, and confined in such a small space, instantly vaporizes the water and produces superheated steam at extremely high temperature and pressure, the force of which is suddenly and instantaneously exerted between the ends of the stationary piston or plugs, and the ends of the working cylinders 24 in the plunger 11, and drives the plunger downward lwith a force and impact resembling explosions. A portion of the heat is also communicated to the compressed air, where the apparatus is constructed as herein shown and described, thus increasing the tension of the Vcompressed air simultaneously, and under the force of this sudden and instantaneous expansion of steam (and compressed air) the plunger descends with great velocity, imparting the force of the impact and expansion to the crank shaft and balance wheel.` Vhen the plunger reaches its lowest position, the pressure of the air and steam has been very largely reduced and the excess pressure is relieved through the exhaust port 56, and an additional charge of Y Water is taken in themanner heretofore described, and the cycle of operation is repeated. It will be understood that as the and to the compressed air within the work- Y ing cylinders 24 insuch manner that there is very little loss-of heat, it being brought into intimate relation with the small quantity of waterto be vaporized, and its result# ing force being instantaneously utilized, so that the heat energy is converted into motion without any material or considerable loss.

If it is desired to eliminate the factor of the compressed air and confine the operation of the engine entirely to the effect of the steam, this can be accomplished very readily by permitting the air to be discharged from the working cylinders 24 until the plunger reaches its vhighest position. For example, in the form of the invention herein shown and described, this might be. accomplished by permitting the relief valve 54 for the passage 53 and the piston rod vcommunicating with the working cylinders to remain open during the operation or all of the upward movement of the plunger and to close said valve when' the plunger reaches its highest position and permit it to remain closed during the descent of the plunger.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a slight modification of my invention in which the apparatus is constructed and operates in substantially the same identical manner as the apparatus shown and described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, except that a diferent form of heating apparatus is employed. VIn this Y instance the upper terminals 22a arefsurrounded with heat coils so arranged that when the lower terminals 27tl are brought into contact therewith, the circuit isclosed and intense heat is generated and imparted to the upper terminals which are maintained at red heat during the time that the circuit is closed, and as a matter of fact, do

not fall materially below this temperature. In this instance the minute quantity of water in the Working cylinders 241 is brought into contact with the highly heated terminals4 and the instantaneous vapori- Vzation of the water and the simultaneous application of the expansive force thereof to theworkingcylinders in the plunger 11a occursas previously described, with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. The parts of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6 which correspond to the parts in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive,

have been given the same reference numeral with the additional letter a thereafter, to

avoid confusion.

I do not desire to be limited to the exact Vdetails .of construction herein sho-wn land described, as the same may be Vvariedto a considerable extent withintheiscope of the appended claims without departing from my invention. In the Jfollowing claims where I have specified that the water is admitted to the cylinder. and that the heating device has Aa part located therein, I have used the term cylinder as including any such obvious equivalent, as a chamber communicatmg with the cylinder proper. Y

What I claim and desire to secure by Iiety ters Patent is l. In a steam actuated motor including among its elements, a piston and cylinder, means forV injecting a small quantity of Water intothe cylinder, and an electric heating yapparatus having a heat distributing part Within the cylinder Vfor vaporizing the water, and means for intermittently actuatingv said heating apparatus when the piston is substantially in its innermost position;

2*.V In a steam actuated motor including among its elements, a piston and cylinder, means for injecting a small quantity of water intofsaid cylinder at each operation thereof, an electric heating means having a heat distributing portion Within the cylinder,a normally open electric circuit for said heating means, Y and circuit controlling means operated to close theicircuit bythe der.

Vrelative movement ofthe pistonk and cylin- 3; In a steam actuated Vmotor 'includingV among its elements, Aa pistonand cylinder, means for introducing a small quantity of water intothe cylinder, an electric heating apparatus having a heat distributing por-V tion V within Athe cylinder, a normally 'open electric circuit for said heating apparatus,- and movable contact devices,Y for said circuit loaf located Within the cylinder` and Yoperated to close said circuit by the relative movement of the piston and cylinder.

4. In a steam yactuated Vmotor including among 4its elements, a'piston and cylinder, means for introducing a small quantity of water into the'cylinder, an electric heat applying device having a heat Vdistributing portion within the cylinder, a normally open electric circuit for said heat applying v device, andv circuit controlling devices in-V cluding opposed contacts carried by said piston and cylinder respectively and adapt-` ed to be brought into contact withv each other to close said circuit bythe relative movementV of the cylinder and piston.

5. In a steam actuated motorjinclulingY among its elements, apiston and cylinder,-

means for introducing a small quantity of Water into the cylinder, anelectric heat applying device having a y heat distributing portion `Within the cylinder, `a -normallyy open electric circuit `i'or said heat applying device, j and ,circuit i controlling devices inspectively and adaptedgto be brought into contact With each other to momentarily close said Vcircuit `by the relative movement of the cylinder and piston, one ofsaid contacts being yieldingly supported in relation to the part with Which it is connected.

. 6. In a steam actuated motor,'the `combi,-

nation With a guiding cylinder, of a plunger Working therein and provided With a plurality of Working cy linders,a plurality of stationary pistons secured to the, guiding cylinder and engaging said Working'- cylinders, means for supplying a small quantity ot' `Water to each `ofsaid vvorkingcylinders at each reciprocation of the plunger, and means for applying heat to saidv Water torvaporize the same, said heating means having a part extending into each of-said 7. In a steamractuated motor, thecombinationvvith a guidingcylindcr, of a'plunger Working therein and providedfivith a plu- Working cylinders. i

rality of working cylinders, aplurality of stationary pistons secured to the guiding Vcylinder and engaging said Working cylinders, means for supplying a small quantity of Water to each of said Working' cylinders at each reciprocation of theplunger,

and an electric heating device for eachxof saidworking cylinders having a heat distributing portion extending Vinto the same for vaporizing the said Water.

8. Ina steam actuated motor, Vthe combination With a guiding cylinder, of'a plunger Working therein and provided with a plurality of Working cylinders, a plurality. fof stationary pistons `secured tothe guiding cylinder and engaging said Working cylinders, meansV for supplying a small quantity of Water to each of said Workingcylinders at each reciprocation of the plunger', an electric heating device Within each of said Working cylinders having a heat distributing part, an electric circuit for said heating device, and circuit controlling means for all of said heating devices 'actuated by the movements of said plunger in the guiding cylinder.

9. In a steam actuated motor, the combination with a guiding cylinder, of a plunger Working therein and provided With a plurality of Working cylinders, a plurality of stationary pistons secured to the guiding cylinder and engaging said Workingcylinders, means for supplying a small quantity of Water to each of said Working cylinders at each reciprocation of the plunger, y

ingpportion extending into the same, an electric circuit for saidheating means includingopposing contacts carried by the plunger and said stationary pistons, `and adapted (to be'brought into contact when the said pistons are substantially at their inner- Y most positions in the Working cylinders..

10. In a "steam actuated motor, the combination with a guiding cylinder, of a plunger Working therein and provided with a plurality of Working` cylinders, a plurality of stationary pistons securedv to the guiding cylinder and engaging said Working cylinders, means for supplying a small quantity of Water tofeach of saidivorking cylindersateach -reciprocation of the plunger,-an electric heating mechanism for each of, said Working cylinders including contacts carried `by' each of said stationary pistons, opposing contacts carried by said plunger, and extending one into each of said Workingcylinders, one of each pair of said opposing contacts being yieldingly mounted with respect to the part carrying the same.

11. In a steam actuated motor, the combination With a guiding cylinder, of ra plunger Working therein and provided With a plurality of Working cylinders, a plurality of stationary pistons secured to the guiding cylinder and engaging said Working cylinders, means for supplying a small quantity of Water to each 4oi said Werl-:ing cylinders at each `reciprocation of the plunger, a fixed contact carried by each of said pistons and having a part extending into the adjacent Working cylinder, and longitudinally movable spring actuated contacts carried by said plunger, and each having a part extending into one of said Working cylinders in position to engage the corresponding stationary contact.`

12.V In a steam actuated motor, the combination `vvith the guiding cylinder, a plunger Working freely therein and provided with a plurality of Working cylinders, of stationary pistons carried by said guiding cylinder ,Water to said Water inlet port, and heating means for each of said Working cylinders having a heat distributing portion Within the same for vaporizing the Water admitted thereto.

13. In a steam actuated motor, the combination with a guiding cylinder, a plunger Working freely therein and provided With a plurality of Working cylinders, of stationary pistons carried by said guiding cylinder and adapted to engage the said working cylinders, ja piston rod connected to said plunger and having an extension projecting through and beyond the plunger, said eXtensin being provided with a 'Water inlet port,

.a longitudinalpassage communicating therewith, and discharge passages therefrom, adapted to communicate with said working cylinders,l adjustable means for varying the size of said inlet port, means for supplying water to said inlet port, and heating means for each 'of said working cylinders having a heatdistributing part therein.

14. In a steam actuated motor, the combination with a guiding cylinder, a plunger terfwith the inlet port in thepiston ro'd,

means for supplying water to the inlet port in said sleeve, and a heating means for each ci said working cylinders having a part extending into the same.

15. y Ina steam actuated motor, the coinbination with a guiding cylinder, a plunger wrkingfreely therein and provided with a plurality ofworking cylinders, of stationary pistonsicarried by said guiding cylinder and adaptedto engage the said working cylinders, a piston rod connected to said plunger and having an Vextension projecting through andbeyond the plunger, saidextension being provided with avwater inlet port, a longirtjidinal 4passage communieatingy therewith, 45

and disehargefpassages therefrom, adapted to 4'com'rfr'iunicate with 'said working cylinders, means for supplying water tosaid inlet port, a heating means fbfleaeh of said workiff ing cylinders having a heatdistributing part withinthe same, a drain passage communieating with each of saidjworking cylinders, and means for closing the same.

1 6. /Inafsteain actuated motor, the combi- 'Y A nation with a guidingcylinder, of a plunger working Yfreely therein,fsaid plunger being provided with a'plurality of' working cylin` ders', a plurality of stationary pistons connectedto the head ofthe guiding cylinder and engaging said working` cylinders, a piston r'o'd connected with said plunger and.

providedv with* [an Vextension extending through and beyond said plunger, said ex@ tension'being provided with a longitudinal.

passage, a water Vinlet port communicating therewith and Vdischarge ,ports adapted'to communicate with said working kcylinders in the plunger, said guiding cylinder being provided with an'injector sleeve engaging the extenion of the piston rod, and provided with a water inlet port adaptedrto register with theY inlet port in thewpiston rod, electric heat applying'rneans for each of said-working cylinders including opposing contacts carriedby the stationary pistons and said plunger respectively and adaptedl to be 4brought into contact when said pistons are. substantially in Vtheir innerinost position in therworking cylinders,aV v and an electric circuit operatively connected with said contacts. Y Y

In testimonyV whereof I aHiX my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

f JAMES AUBLE.

Witnesses: Y v i 'ERNES'TQB DMn/rom' Y VTHO'. BECKER.

Copies of this `patent mayr be `olitained forV n ve cents eaenhy Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D, C. Y 

